16 September 2004 -- Thousands of Ukrainian opposition supporters demonstrated and held vigils today to mark the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of journalist Heorhiy Gongadze.

In the main square in Kyiv, some 3,000 people held a moment of silence in honor of Gongadze. In the western city of Lviv, some 200 mourners lit candles to honour the memory of 24 journalists killed in Ukraine since 1991.

Gongadze's headless body was found near Kyiv in November 2000 after his disappearance in September. His death has not been solved.

Gongadze operated an Internet website that reported on alleged government corruption.

Gongadze's supporters have accused Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and security authorities of being involved in Gongadze's death. Kuchma and other officials deny the allegations.

The Council of Europe said in a statement today that the case "remains a cause of great concern."